Pumpkin Timbale with Kale Chips, Speck & Pickled Radish

What is your favourite pumpkin recipe? Well, I invite you to think about pumpkin recipes in a different way…

…but first what is the meaning of time for you? I normally finish the post with a Brazilian song, but today I decided to go the other way around because this is such a special one by Caetano Veloso, a major name in Brazilian folk music. The amazing thing about Caetano is that he is not only a fine singer/song-writer, guitar player, he is also a poet. The way he uses words to make music lyrics is extremely imaginative as he uses rhythm to express what he feels and provides elevated thoughts that challenge you to think. The name of the song is Oração ao Tempo, which translates as “Prayer for Time”. I inserted the hyperlink to Spotify in case you would like to listen to it.

He describes what time means for him in the form of a monologue. Simply genius! I tried to translate as best as I could so I wouldn’t disturb the meaning and the depth of the lyrics. I also added words between brackets to enhance the meaning of some of the sentences. Note that the way he repeats “time, time, time, time” is to emphasize the fact that time doesn’t stop and is somehow repetitive. If you listen carefully you will notice that he included a percussion that does tictac just like a clock. There are other hidden nuances to the song, but I will leave it to your own interpretation. Hope you like it!

Prayer for Time – Caetano Veloso

(Time) You’re such a handsome gentleman

Just like the face of my son

Time, time, time, time

I will make you a wish

Time, time, time, time

(You are) Composer of destinies

The drum of all rhythms

Time, time, time, time

I would like to reach an agreement with you

Time, time, time, time

Because you are so inventive

And apparently continuous

Time, time, time, time

You are one of the most beautiful Gods

Time, time, time, time

I hope you will be even more alive

within the sound of my chorus

Time, time, time, time

Listen well what I have to say to you

Time, time, time, time

I ask you for legitimate pleasure

and that my movement is precise

Time, time, time, time

When the time is right

Time, time, time, time

So that my spirit

Get a defined brightness

Time, time, time, time

And (I wish) I spread kindness

Time, time, time, time

(and) Whatever you and I will use for it

is to be kept confidential

Time, time, time, time

Only between you and me

Time, time, time, time

And when I am

Out of your circle

Time, time, time, time

I will not be and you will not have been

Time, time, time, time

Even though I believe (that)

(One day) we will meet again

Time, time, time, time

and bond in another dimension

Time, time, time, time

Therefore I ask you for this

And I praise you

Time, time, time, time

Within the rhymes of my style

Time, time, time, time

Do you agree with Caetano’s words that “time is the composer of (people’s) destinies”?

Now back to cooking, “timbale” is a French dish which is shaped in a mould and the texture resembles custard or mousse and looks like this. Any flavour can be added to the basic custard like herbs, meats or vegetables and today I’ve chosen pumpkin.

This creamy pumpkin timbale is a recipe I adapted from the first vegetarian book I bought in Australia more than 10 years ago. The original recipe had carrots instead of pumpkin with a creamy sauce on the side. In Brazil we like to eat a side dish called quibebe, which is a pan fried cubed pumpkin with onions and tomatoes, with roasted pork shoulder or fried cubed pork belly and pan-fried kale. By changing some of the textures I turned the dish into a modern Brazilian recipe; with the pumpkin timbale I serve a simple salad with crispy kale, speck and some pickled radish.

Note that this dish can be easily turned into vegetarian by simply omitting the speck.

Time is important, so to optimise yours in the kitchen you can prepare both the timbale and the pickle one day ahead and store them in the fridge.

1. Pre-heat the oven 200°C, fan-forced. Line a tray with baking paper. Place the pumpkin, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 30 minutes or until soft, remove from oven and then reduce the oven to 180°C.

2. For the kale chips, remove leaves from thick stems and roughly tear the leaves. In a bowl mix the kale, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Place seasoned kale onto the other tray in one layer and bake in batches for 10 minutes until edges start to get brown, but taking care not to burn.

3. For the pumpkin timbale, brush six timbale moulds* (185ml) with melted butter. Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the leek and cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the turmeric and stir for a further minute. Remove from pan and set aside to cool. In a bowl blend the pumpkin, 100ml stock, leek mixture, sage, eggs and cream. Process in the food processor or use a stick blender to blend well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour into the prepared moulds. Place the moulds onto a baking tray, place the tray into the oven and fill the tray with boiling water to cover ½ of the sides of the moulds. Bake in the pre-heated oven (180°C) for 35-40 minutes or until firm.

4. For the radish pickle, in a small saucepan combine vinegar and sugar. Stir the vinegar and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Simmer for 2 minutes or until the mixture reduces slightly. In a bowl mix it the radishes.

5. For the speck, in a frying pan over medium heat fry the slices with a little bit of oil, 3 minutes on each side or until crispy.

5. To serve, unmould the timbales by scrapping a round knife around the edge of the moulds. Carefully turn one mould onto the centre of a plate and tap until timbale is released. Serve warm or cold with speck bacon, crispy kale and pickled radishes. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.